James Joseph Krakowski

born 7/15/1950; died 9/13/2018

Jim was born in Omaha, Nebraska the second of four brothers to Alma and Bud Krakowski.

At the age of 9, Jim’s family relocated to the San Gabriel Valley. At Arroyo High School, Jim played baseball and football. He was really one of the ‘studs’ on campus. He declined a football scholarship and decided to study at CSULA and finished his education with a Masters in Political Science from USC. A lifelong Trojan fan was born. The only concession that he made was to marry a beautiful nurse with dimples, named Mary, who worked at UCLA.

Leaving college and his college rock and roll band (lead guitar) behind in 1978, he took his first job with the City of Los Angeles, as a Legislative Analyst. It was not a small nor inconsequential job. Using the great negotiation skills that Jim had developed over the course of his life and his genial personality, Jim soon earned the trust of some of Los Angeles’ most influential figures. Through it all, it was Jim’s laugh and easy-going manner that so many of the big names in LA politics cite as examples of the Jim they remember and love.

In 1984, Jim met the love of his life and soul mate in Mary on Catalina Island. They married in 1986 and carried their love of the sea to their honeymoon in Bonaire where they had a great time scuba diving.

A love of adventure and traveling took Jim and Mary on many adventures to Europe, Great Britain, the Caribbean and throughout the USA. They scuba dived, hiked, or just took in the sights by train, bus, or cruise. One of the highlights of these adventures was the stop in Germany while the Wall was being demolished. Jim had the pleasure of wielding a sledgehammer at that symbol of division.

Jim had a great love of family. He loved his brothers and counted them as his closest friends. He and Mary enjoyed being included in all the life events of their siblings, nieces and nephews throughout the years. It seems like they never missed a chance to get together and laugh and socialize. It appeared that all the little children and even the dogs were attracted to Jim and his love of fun. He was the biggest kid of all.

In 1999, at the age of 49, Jim suffered a stroke. It was a setback for sure, but it did not stop Jim from enjoying life. He entered a revolutionary rehab program and through hard work, he recovered enough mobility to continue travelling.

They had an amazing 19 years together after the stroke. Mary was his rock and cheerleader and he never missed an opportunity to tell her “I love you”. Throughout it all, Jim never lost his sense of fun, his laughter or his gentle soul. Together, Mary and Jim learned to always look forward and never look back

In 2017, Jim and Mary moved into the retirement community of Carlsbad by the Sea. This was an invigorating move. Jim came alive to enjoy a newfound freedom and comfort in new friends. His ready laugh and gentle personality soon became the darling of the community. Jim never turned down the offer to get out on the dance floor!

While the memories of Jim will always remain in our hearts, it is the sharing of them that will sustain us.

Please come to Jim’s Aloha on the Ocean Terrace on October 27, 2018 at 1pm.

Carlsbad by the Sea 2807 Ocean Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008

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